A Fare Most Fair

Bali Considering Reintroducing Free Rides on the Sarbagita Bus System

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(12/9/2012)

In an effort to encourage Bali residents to use the Sarbagita Bus System and reduce traffic congestion in the southern island, the provincial government of Bali is planning to once again introduce free bus rides as a means to increase passenger numbers.

After a successful four-month “free ride” period introduced from August to November 2012 increased loads on the bus system, officials now want to repeat the offer to add more regular users.

Quoted by Radar Bali, the spokesman for the province of Bali, Ketut Teneng, said on Wednesday, December 5, 2012: “The free ride program will be recommended (to the legislature). This is a subsidized program.”

Teneng said that the provincial government would not lose money through offering another free-ride program, emphasizing that the main purpose of the Sarbagita system is not to achieve a profit, but to provide a public service.